Kilobyte

Kilobyte is a unit of information used to quantify digital data. It is equal to 1,000 bytes in strict SI terms, but in many computing contexts it has been used to mean 1,024 bytes, reflecting binary addressing.

To resolve this ambiguity, the IEC introduced binary prefixes such as the kibibyte (KiB) for 1,024 bytes. In standard usage, the term kilobyte (kB or KB) denotes 1,000 bytes, while KiB denotes 1,024 bytes. Consequently, 1 KiB equals 1.024 kB. The distinction is most evident when comparing memory sizes with storage capacities.

In practice, memory and software have historically used 1 kB = 1,024 bytes, whereas hard drives, flash storage, and data transfer specifications frequently use 1 kB = 1,000 bytes. The difference can lead to apparent discrepancies in reported sizes between devices and software.

A byte consists of eight bits. Therefore, 1 kB equals 8,000 bits, and 1 KiB equals 8,192 bits. In the data hierarchy, kilobyte is followed by megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB), and so on.

Common examples: a short text file may be a few kilobytes in size; a small document around 2–4 KB. Kilobyte remains relevant for describing smaller data quantities, while larger capacities are usually expressed in higher units.